Life support system and rebreather

ABSTRACT

A closed cycle life support system and rebreather that includes a cannister having an air purifying material therein, and wherein there is provided a face mask and flexible bag that are operatively connected to the cannister, and wherein the entire device can be conveniently carried on the user&#39;&#39;s back.

United States Patent [191 Ries [54] LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND REBREATHER[76] Inventor: Gordon E. Ries, 4423 Third Ave.

East, Bradenton, Fla. 33505 [22] Filed: Apr. 9, 1973 21 Appl. No.:349,008

[52] US. Cl. 128/142, 128/202 [51] Int. Cl A6lm 16/00 [58] Field ofSearch..... 128/142, 142.4, 145, 145.8,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1966 Williams 128/1427/1968 Warncke et a1. 128/1422 m1 3,863,629 [4 1 Feb. 4, 1975 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 878,119 9/1961 Great Britain 128/142 870,82712/1941 France 128/142 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet AssistantExaminer-Henry J. Recla Attorney, Agent, or FirmSherman Levy [57]ABSTRACT A closed cycle life support system and rebreather that includesa cannister having an air purifying material therein, and wherein thereis provided a face mask and flexible bag that are operatively connectedto the cannister, and wherein the entire device can be convenientlycarried on the users back.

1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND REBREATHER Thepresent invention relates to a life support system for furnishing orproviding clean or purified air to a person using the device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a life support systemand rebreather than can be conveniently mounted on a person's back sothat, for example, with the face mask in place, a person can breathe inclean or purified air in environments or atmospheres that are likely tobe in need of such clean or purified air.

Another object is to provide a life support system wherein the user useshis or her own air over and over again, and wherein there is providedcheck valves for controlling the flow of air in the proper direction,and wherein, after the device is no longer needed, or when the materialshave been spent, the entire device can be discarded conveniently. due tothe low cost involved in the fabrication or sale thereof.

Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof in a device of the character described, that iseconomical to produce, durable in form, and conducive to the mosteconomical use of materials and uniformity of members formed therefrom.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent in thesubsequent description in the specification.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating oneapplication of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the deviceconveniently stored in the case or housing as when the device is notbeing used.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring in detail to the drawings,- the numeral indicates a back packthat may be provided with flap portions 11 that can be convenientlyopened to gain access to the interior of the pack 10, and the pack 10may be held on the user's body by means of straps 12, FIG. 1. As shownin FIG. 2, the interior of the pack or housing 10 is hollow, and wallportions or baffles 37, 31 and 32 within the pack 10, definecompartments 13, 14 and 15 for a purpose to be later described.

The numeral 16 indicates a face mask that is adapted to be selectivelyheld on the user's face 18 by means of straps l7, and a pair of flexiblehoses l9 and 20 are operatively connected to the face mask 16. Thenumeral 21 indicates a hollow cannister, and the cannister 21 has asupply or quantity of air purifying material therein similar to the airpurifying and carbon dioxide material shown and described in a priorpatent such as prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,566,867. Diametrically opposedfittings 23 and 24 are connected to or formed integral with thecannister 21, and the flexible hoses l9 and 20 are connected to thefittings 23 and 24 as shown in FIG. 3. A check valve 25 is mounted inthe fitting 23, and a similar valve 26 is mounted in the fitting 24. Asshown in FIG. 4, a valve, such as the valve 25 may include a supportportion 27 that has apertures or cutouts 28 therein, and a securingelement such as a rivet 29 connects a flexible valve member 30 in placeto the support member or support 27.

As shown in FIG. 2, the compartment 13 is partially defined by the wallportions 37 and 31, and the wall portion 32 separates the compartmentsl4 and 15. The numeral 33 indicates a flexible bag that is arranged inthe compartment 15, and the bag 33 is suitably connected to thecannister 21 by means of a hose 34, FIG. 2. The numeral 35 indicates anair vent that establishes communication between the compartment 15 andthe outside atmosphere. A fitting or port 36 is adapted to establishcommunication to the compartment 14, and if desired, the fitting or port36 can be connected to a suitable source or supply of oxygen.

The compartments 13, 14 and 15 are defined partially by the walls 37, 31and 32, as shown in FIG. 2.

In use, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, when thedevice is not being used the parts can be conveniently stored in acompact arrangement within the pack or case 10 as shown in FIG. 2. Then,when it is desired to use the device, the user can open the flaps, suchas the flaps 11, so as to remove the face mask 16, and the face mask 16can then be mounted on the face or nose and mouth as shown in FIG. 1,whereby the head strap 17 will retain the face mask 16 on the face 18.By exercising normal breathing, the air can be exhaled and inhaledthrough the closed system, so that, for example, the exhaled air fromthe user can pass through the face mask 16, then through the hose l9,and then past the relief valve 25 into the cannister 21 whereby thematerial 22 within the cannister 21 will remove impurities from the airand wherein the material 22 will also help purify the air and absorb orremove the carbon dioxide. The purified air can then flow outwardly pastthe valve 26 and then through the hose 20 to be returned as clean pureair to the face mask 16 so that this air can be inhaled by the user. Atthe same time, a flexible bag 33 in the compartment 15 can alternatelyexpand and contract during this breathing since the bag 33 is connectedto the cannister 21 as at 34. The vent 35 provides a means forequalizing pressure within the compartment 15 so that the bag 33 canexpand and contract in the desired manner. The port 36 can provide ameans for connecting the compartment 14 to a suitable source of oxygenis desired, so that this oxygen can be suitably directed into thecannister 21 through a suitable valve or hose arrangement whereby thesystem can be maintained in its proper condition.

It is to be understood that the parts can be made of any suitablematerial and in different shapes or sizes as desired or required.

The life support system and rebreather of the present invention can beused in automobiles, aircraft, as well as in other locations such as inconnection with mine safety equipment. The device is adapted to be madeat low cost. When the device is being used in a vehicle, such as anautomobile for example, it can be placed on the front seat or the floorand then when it is to be used, the face mask 16 can be clamped on theface so that the person can use the device without breathing in pollutedair or impure air. The bag 33 can alternately extend and retract duringbreathing. The material 22 may be of a conventional type such as sodalime. The present invention is a closed system and when the user iswearing or using the device, the user does not inhale the polluted airbut instead inhales the purified air. Thus. the user uses his own or herown air over and over again until all of the air is used up. The devicecan be worn as shown in FIG. 1, as a back pack and when the user exhalesor breathes out, it causes the air to inflate the bag 33, and as the airpasses back and forth through the cannister 21, the material 22 willrejuvenate the air and remove the carbon dioxide. The compartments, suchas the compartments l3, l4 and provide a convenient means for storingthe various parts, as shown in the drawings.

The present invention is characterized by its simplicity and, forexample, uses no electricity to actuate the device and there is nomedication and the device works merely by the user breathing in thenormal manner. The valves 25 and 26 in the opposite ends of thecannister 21, assure continuous air flow in the proper manner. The facemask 16 does not protect the eyes and only covers the nose and themouth. With the present invention, carbon dioxide and water vapour canbe removed with the filter or cannister 21. The device is a low pressuresystem. Also, the device can be mass produced and can be placed inmines, asbestos and cement plants, and the device does not have to berecharged and re-sterilized and can be thrown away after use, and thevarious parts can be made of inexpensive plastic.

With the present invention, when the user exhales, air passes throughthe face mask 16, through a flexible hose, such as the hose [9 and theninto the cannister 21 and into the bag 33. When the user inhales, thebag 33 is contracted so that the air flows back through the hose 34 thenthrough the cannister 21 and back through a hose to the face mask 16 sothat the user can breathe in clean or pure air.

As shown in FIG. 2 a plurality of openings or vents 35 may be provided.

In FIG. 2 the numeral 40 indicates an oxygen bottle or container that isadapted to be arranged in a casing or compartment 41 and wherein aspring member 42 may be arranged adjacent the oxygen supply container40. The numeral 43 indicates a manually operable button or plunger thatcan be manually actuated in order to energize a valve arrangement topermit oxygen to flow from the container 40 through a hose 44 into thecanister 21 when it is desired to inject or supply oxygen to the unit.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2, seals 45 are arranged in the vicinity ofcertain of the hoses to provide a tight joint at the points.

By using the oxygen supply 40, oxygen can be placed in the system whendesired or required. The seals 45 help prevent undesired gases and thelike from entering a chamber such as the chamber 14. With the presentinvention carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen can be put into thesystem. The present invention may use a plunger such as the manuallyoperable plunger 43 to start the flow of oxygen. A louvered arrangementcan be provided adjacent the openings such as the openings 35 so thatholes will not be accidently punched in the bag 33.

It will now be clear that there is provided a device which accomplishesthe objectives heretofore set forth. While the invention has beendisclosed in the preferred form, it is to be understood that thespecific embodiment thereof as described and illustrated herein is notto be considered in a limited sense as there may be other forms ormodifications of the invention which should also be construed to comewithin the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. in a closed cycle, low pressure, life support system and rebreather,a hollow case embodying first, second and third compartments therein,flap portions for gaining access to the interior of said case, therebeing an air vent establishing communication between the outsideatmosphere and said third compartment, a port establishing communicationwith the atmosphere and said second compartment, a hollow cannistermounted in said second compartment having a quantity of air purifyingmaterial therein, first and second diametrically opposed fittingsconnected to said cannister, one-way check valves disposed in said firstand second fittings for directing flow in one direction through saidcannister, a face mask removably mounted in said first compartment andsaid face mask closing only the nose and mouth of the user, strapsconnected to said face mask, a flexible bag mounted in said thirdcompartment, a conduit connecting said bag to said cannister, a pair offlexible hoses connecting said face mask to said first and secondfittings, said case defining and providing a back pack to be mounted andworn on the back of a user, an oxygen container arranged in one of saidcompartments, a manually operable means for selectively actuating theoxygen container to release oxygen therein, and a conduit connectingsaid oxygen container to said cannister.

1. In a closed cycle, low pressure, life support system and rebreather,a hollow case embodying first, second and third compartments therein,flap portions for gaining access to the interior of said case, therebeing an air vent establishing communication between the outsideatmosphere and said third compartment, a port establishing communicationwith the atmosphere and said second compartment, a hollow cannistermounted in said second compartment having a quantity of air purifyingmaterial therein, first and second diametrically opposed fittingsconnected to said cannister, one-way check valves disposed in said firstand second fittings for directing flow in one direction through saidcannister, a face mask removably mounted in said first compartment andsaid face mask closing only the nose and mouth of the user, strapsconnected to said face mask, a flexible bag mounted in said thirdcompartment, a conduit connecting said bag to said cannister, a pair offlexible hoses connecting said face mask to said first and secondfittings, said case defining and providing a back pack to be mounted andworn on the back of a user, an oXygen container arranged in one of saidcompartments, a manually operable means for selectively actuating theoxygen container to release oxygen therein, and a conduit connectingsaid oxygen container to said cannister.